La Fête du Fromage - La Brique du Forez

The Auvergne is home to many of France's well known and loved cheeses; sublime Cantal, gorgeous Gaperon and two beautiful bleus, Fourme d'Ambert and Bleu d'Auvergne.

In the extreme eastern edge of the Auvergne lies the le pays du Livradois-Forez, home to this week's cheese, La Brique du Forez (also called Chevreton du Livradois).

La Brique du Forez is soft - in texture, aroma and flavor. Nothing about it is over the top.
This is a humble, well rounded cheese that has beautiful butter and hazelnut flavors, and I also detected gentle hints of goatiness. Its earthy aroma has a tiny bit of barnyard to it, but not aggressive at all.

Made from 100% unpasteurized goat's milk during the spring and autumn and a blend of cow and goat's milk the rest of the year, this cheese is produced both on small farms and by artisan cheese makers.
One website did state that la Brique has become industrially produced, however the Fromagerie where I bought it said that this one was lait cru and fermier.

If you find yourself in the Auvergne or see this cheese for sale at a Fromagerie in France, don't hesitate to try it. It is a wonderful cheese!

Wine recommendation: a fruity Beaujolais or a floral Viognier.

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La Fête du Fromage With Gaperon

Pepper!
Garlic!

Gaperon d'Auvergne is bewitching!



Little dome shaped Gaperon d'Auvergne has been produced for over 1200 years in the high plains of south central France. It's name comes from the word ''gap,'' or "gape," the word for buttermilk in the Auvernat dialect, as this cheese was traditionally made with the whey that remained after the butter making. Gaperon is no longer hung and aged by the fire in the farmhouse. Affinage is now done on rye straw in damp cellars, where the white rind takes on a blue grey hue as it matures.
It is made with raw cow's milk that is spiked with cracked peppercorns and local, pink garlic, creating a complex, pronounced and unique flavor. The interior's texture is buttery and creamy, similar to a ripe Brie or Camembert.
We've fallen head over heels with this one!
Gaperon's remarkable, striking flavor would be complimented perfectly by a glass of Côtes du Rhone.


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